Outstanding restaurateurs, culinary experts and hospitality leaders will receive worldwide recognition for their exemplary work in the dining scene at the annual James Beard Foundation Awards Monday night.
Considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors for those in the culinary and food media industry, the awards ceremony seeks to recognize exceptional talent, but also commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive, according to a news release.
The Restaurant and Chef Awards, which is one of multiple awards ceremonies, includes nominees from across the country, from chefs to restaurateurs to brand new restaurants. Planned for 6 p.m. at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the event will be Academy Awards-style and followed by a post-awards celebration.
Chicago is known as a city of culinary excellence, but which restaurants and chefs are up for awards this year? Here's a list of those in the running:
Outstanding Chef
Jason Vincent, Giant
Outstanding Restaurant
Local
Parachute
Best New Restaurant
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Kasama
Outstanding Baker
Maya-Camille Broussard, Justice of the Pies
Outstanding Bar Program
Nobody's Darling
Best Chef - Great Lakes
- Jason Hammel, Lula Cafe
- Noah Sandoval, Oriole
- John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth
- Erick Williams, Virtue Restaurant & Bar
A full list of award nominees can be found here.